The band members were due to be released in March next year, although the new law – timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Russia’s constitution – has granted early pardons and releases for convicts who either have children or have committed nonviolent crimes.

Ms Alyokhin, commenting on her early release, said: “In this situation, I was just a body being moved in space, nothing depended on me.

“If I had a choice to refuse [the amnesty], I would have, without a doubt.”

In an interview with the BBC, Pyotr Verzilov, the husband of Ms Tolokonnikova, said: “The only thing [Pussy Riot] have acquired over their two years in prison is their confidence to continue fighting Putin’s regime even harder, because, well, this is the only thing that can change things in our country.”

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